Photo gallery: Il Lombardia 2018, the neglected Monument

Photos by Kristof Ramon | Words by Matt de Neef

If the Vuelta a España is the neglected Grand Tour, then Il Lombardia is the neglected Monument. Held after the World Championships, half a year after the other four Monuments, Il Lombardia attracts far less attention than any other race of its ilk. In a way it makes sense — by now, the season is effectively done. All the other important races are in the books and many riders have begun the off-season (or are racing as if they have).

But just as La Vuelta’s relative lack of popularity belies its often-enjoyable and unpredictable nature, so too Il Lombardia is frequently overlooked.

This past weekend we saw Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) cap his best season to date, riding away from defending champion Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) after repeated attempts to drop the two-time winner. Pinot, a man so aptly described by CyclingTips’ Neal Rogers as “pro cycling’s most mortal star”, was at his aggressive, tenacious best in snagging his first Monument victory and adding to an impressive run of victories in recent months.

The fact Nibali finished second is significant, too. Only now is the Sicilian coming back to form after the unfortunate crash that ended his Tour de France. His fight in the closing kilometres of Saturday’s race, attacking clear of a chase group that had reeled him in, was among the race’s most engaging moments.

And on the subject of returns to form, Egan Bernal (Sky) is back after his horrible crash at San Sebastian. He was in the elite selection of four with Pinot, Nibali and Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) in the closing kilometres and finished a more-than-respectable 12th. To say there are big things ahead for Bernal seems beyond obvious at this point.

In short, Il Lombardia mightn’t command attention or headlines like its earlier-season siblings, but it really should. Thankfully Kristof Ramon was there to capture all the action. Scroll on down for a selection of his images from the 112th edition of “The Race of the Falling Leaves.”

Newly crowned world champion Alejandro Valverde has been turning heads in his new rainbow jersey.

He had a new bike for the occasion as well.

Former world champion Rui Costa bumped into two-time former Il Lombardia winner Joaquim Rodriguez at the start. The year that Costa won Worlds, 2013, he was joined on the podium by Rodriguez and Valverde.

The peloton rolls past the stunning Lake Como.

A breakaway of eight tackles the first climb of the day, the Colle Gallo.

The peloton follows the break up the same beautiful ascent.

Summiting the Madonna del Ghisallo climb, one of cycling’s most famous ascents.

Primoz Roglic went clear on his own up the climb, but was later reeled in by Pinot and Nibali.

Jack Haig fights through the crowd on the Muro di Sormano.

Pinot and Nibali got clear with 17.4km to go, then a few kilometres later the Frenchman rode away on his own.

He had enough time to sit up and celebrate …

… crossing the line 32 seconds ahead of Nibali.

Dylan Teuns took out the sprint for third. He was second at the U23 version of Il Lombardia back in 2014, behind Gianni Moscon and ahead of Pierre Latour.

Wilco Kelderman was looking a little worse for wear when he crossed the line roughly seven minutes down.

That’s Nibali’s third podium at Il Lombardia, adding to his victories in 2015 and 2017.

His daughter might be a little young for the celebratory champagne though.

It’s the first time Teuns has been on the podium at a Monument. You’d have to imagine it won’t be the last.

Pinot’s win comes after third place in 2015 and fifth last year. He’s had an impressive year with two stage wins at the Vuelta plus victories at Milano-Torino and the Tour of the Alps. Chapeau Thibaut!

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